I try to get to one Formula One event a year, and this year, as luck would have it I was invited to go to the Austrian Grand Prix – quite one of the loveliest locations for a circuit . It is apparent that Ferrari has a huge advantage this year and that they should be able to win the Drivers’ and the Constructors’ championships comfortably – unless the other teams make rapid progress to catch up (which looks unlikely). As guests of Ferrari’s sponsors we were able to see very close at hand what the main reasons for the team’s current superiority are. Over the past few years Ferrari technicians have been designing and making a new gearbox for the car – in conditions of great secrecy. This gearbox is now part of the 2002 model, and it seems to be working well. The really clever thing is that the gearbox is quite a bit smaller than the previous model (and smaller than the boxes in the other teams). This has allowed modifications to be made to the overall car design and, crucially, it has allowed the car to be more aerodynamically efficient.
In Formula One it is the hundredths of a second that make the difference - tiny changes to one part of the set up of the car can give performance advantages. Another area where Ferrari has recently got an advantage is with the fuel. The team’s fuel supplier, Shell, has been working hard to achieve some horsepower advantage from reformulating the fuel mix. This is no easy task as there are very tight specifications applying to the fuel formulation. Nevertheless, and entirely within the rules, Shell has achieved a breakthrough which gives a discernable advantage.
The supremely technically able Ferrari organisation also has the best funded operation in the sport. This not only enables them to push the design limits (as the gearbox story shows) but also, of course, to hire the best drivers. Michael Schumacher is head and shoulders above the rest in 2002. And the week before the Austrian Grand Prix, Ferrari announced that the number two driver in the team, Rubens Barrichello, had signed a new two year contract and this was well received by the Ferrari fans and team members alike. Rubens is a fine driver, a likeable man, and a good team player.
The above is by way of background to show that Ferrari’s advantages are considerable and the results of the Grand Prix so far this year have demonstrated this beyond any doubt. Whilst nothing in this sport is wholly predictable it was clear Schumacher was likely to be able to win the championship for a record equalling fifth time without too much trouble.
On the Saturday of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend I was with the other sponsors’ guests who met with Rubens Barrichello shortly after he secured pole position. He had a big wide smile on his face and he was warmly received by all of us. The Ferrari host said how pleased that they all were that Rubens had signed for another two years and also said how appropriate it was that he was on pole position. So although Michael Schumacher was only on the second row of the grid, another good day for the team was in prospect.
On the Sunday all went according to plan. Both Rubens and Michael made good starts and the race soon settled into another Ferrari field day. Despite the safety car having to appear twice, nothing was going to interfere with the expected victory. Rubens drove beautifully and the pit crew supported him with their usual efficiency. Michael was also driving well, but it was clear that barring accidents he was going to have to settle for second place.
What happened just before the end of the race was an absolute disgrace. It was not just the neutrals who were offended by Ferrari’s cynical tactics. Indeed the loudest protest came from the grandstand where most of the flags were red. And in the Ferrari sponsors area (from which I watched the race) the main colour was red as well. Red faced with near rage from those (like me) who found the decision to hand the race to Schumacher indefensible. And red faced with embarrassment from the Ferrari hosts who could see the trouble the decision had caused, and realised that this was one cynical and unsporting action too far. We have not heard the end of this whole affair by a very long way!
